William c



(No Model.)

W. G. WETMORE.

I TRUSS. No. 509,637. Patented Nov. 28, 1893.

finessep: .BI/ruifir. 6M 35 m M I STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. WETMORE, OE BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN M. CULLIS, OF SAME PLACE.

TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 509,637, dated November 28, 1893.

Application filed July 17, 1893. Serial No. 480,696. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM C. \VETMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to trusses in which the pads are attached to the m ends of an elastic bow, although the same is also applicable to trusses of different kinds.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a truss pad which shall exert a constant, yet gentle pressure upon the hernia,

[5 thus keeping the rupture in place with the least discomfort to the wearer.

My invention has the further object, to construct the pad in such a manner as to reduce its weight to a minimum and permit all por- 2o tions of its face to yield freely.

In the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truss embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the truss pads, on an enlarged scale.

:5 Fig.3 is a similar view thereof, at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. a is a face view of the pad with its covering removed to expose the disk spring.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the elastic bow to the end por tions of which the pads are attached.

B is the rigid pad frame which consists of a ring, as shown.

C is a sleeve or socket formed on or secured to the rear side of the ring 13 and extending across the opening of the same. This sleeve or socket is preferably provided with an internal screw thread which engages with an external thread (1 formed on the end portion of the supporting how. This connection permlts the pad to be adjusted lengthwise of the bow in accordance with the location of the rupture, by turning the pad on the bow. It 5 also permits the pad to be adjusted at any desired angle. The pad is preferably clamped 1n position, after being adjusted, by a set screw e arranged in a screw threaded opening in the sleeve or socket O and impinging 50 against the how. The head of this screw forms a button for the attachment of the truss belt.

F is a disk spring applied to the front side of the pad frame and secured at its periph eral edge to the outer edge of said frame by brazing, or any other suitable means. This spring is preferably convex and provided with a number of slits f, forming a number of spring tongues f which are free or detached at their inner portions, so as to yield freely. These slits are preferably arranged radially so as to intersect at the middle of the pad and they are formed at their outer ends with enlargements f to increase the elasticity of the spring tongues. The disk spring forms an elastic backing for the felt, or other soft material with which truss pads are usually covered.

In the construction shown in the drawings, a layer or pad of felt g is placed upon the spring, and over this pad is stretched a covering or facing h of leather. This covering is constructed in the form of a sack which incloses the pad frame and has its edge or mouth gathered and drawn together on the rear side of the pad by a fastening cord. The resistance of the slitted disk spring is comparatively light at the middle and increases toward the edge thereof. Its central portion, which rests against the hernia, thus exerts a constant gentle pressure, while its outer portion is comparatively rigid, which is desirable for holding the pad from displacement. As the pressure of the pad is received by the tongues of the disk spring, the strain is distributed over the surface of the spring, and the latter is therefore not liable to become set. The spring is cheaply stamped in one piece from any suitable spring metal, such as brass.

By constructing the pad frame in the form of a ring and securing the attaching socket or sleeve across the back of the ring, a very. light construction is obtained, and the sleeve does not obstruct the inward deflection of the tongues of the disk spring. The felt layer and the leather covering are preferably provided with ventilation apertures, as shown.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a truss pad, the combination with the pad frame, of a slitted disk spring applied to I00 the front side of said frame and forming the socket arranged on the rear side of said ring, yieldingbearing face of the pad,substantially across the opening thereof,- and adapted to as set'forth. 1 receive the bow of the truss, and a circular 2. In a truss pad, the combination with the spring applied to the front side of said sup 5 rigid pad. frame, of a slitted disk spring apporting ring, substantially as set forth. 15 plied to the front side of said frame, and a Witness my hand this 14th day of July,1893. softfacing,coveringsaid spring, substantially 'WILLIAM C. \VETMORE. as set forth. Witnesses:

3. In a truss pad, the combination with a CARL F. GEYER,

IO supporting ring, of an attaching sleeve or JOHN M. CULLIs. 

